NEW YORK – Columbia field hockey head coach Marybeth Freeman has released the program’s 2013 schedule.

"We are excited about the diverse conference representation we have on our 2013 schedule,” Freeman said. “We will be playing against some new competitors and it will make for an exciting mix of strong teams. A challenging and talented spread of America East, Atlantic 10, Colonial, NorPac-East and Patriot League teams will best prepare us for our competitive Ivy League contests.”

“This group of women, both returning and incoming, welcome the opportunity to showcase their knowledge of the game and demonstrate how their overall skills have evolved."

The Lions will begin the season with a pair of games at American University, opening up against Longwood on Friday, Sep. 6 before facing James Madison on Sunday, Sep. 8.

Columbia will spend the following weekend playing two games in College Park, Md. The Lions will face a Maryland squad fresh off a Final Four appearance on September 14 and close out the four-game road swing against American on September 15.

Ivy League play will commence on Friday, Sep. 20, when Columbia welcomes Brown to the Baker Athletics Complex for its first home contest of the year.

After the two trips to the capital region, the Lions road portion of the schedule is highlighted by an October 4 showdown with the defending national champions, Princeton. Columbia will also travel to Cornell (Sep. 28), Fairfield (Sep. 29) and Dartmouth (Oct. 27).